Taking care of our hygiene has probably been one of the biggest contributors to why we are here today and that you can be sitting in front of a screen anywhere in the world reading this very thing. Among other things, it has helped to keep civilization-threatening diseases at bay. But for being such an important part of our lives, it’s quite remarkable that there is so little variety to offer! Here we will take a look at some washbasins in odd materials, not commonly used for that.
Or?
Today we’re going to find out if that’s really true. Is it really only porcelain that’s suited for hand washing? Or are there other washbasins in odd materials on the market that can do the same job?
Porcelain and ceramic sinks
First of all, we must try to understand why porcelain wash basins have become so common and pushed out other materials.
Porcelain is very easy to make and the method has been used by our ancestors for thousands of years. A material and method that we have refined to almost perfection by now. Porcelain is ordinary ceramics that have been glazed and fired to obtain a dense, glossy surface. The surface ensures that dirt, water and other things do not penetrate the material and create cracks and leakage.
A porcelain sink is both nice to look at and very easy to keep clean. It is very important for e.g. hospital where it is enough to run over the surface with some alcohol to make it sterile.
Concrete
Another material that has become popular lately due to the industrial and raw impression is concrete. Just like unglazed porcelain, concrete is very porous, something that can be solved by using waterproofing.
A concrete washbasin can really lift an entire bathroom and give it both a natural, raw and industrial style. In combination with other materials and colors such as black details, copper or brass, it will look especially nice!
Concrete is porous and not everyone wants, or doesn’t think about waterproofing it before use. In that case you might get large dark spots in it when it gets into contact with water. This is because the water penetrates into the pores and remains there until it evaporates. In the same way, you can easily get limescale deposits and ugly stains from toothpaste and soap. These are difficult to get rid of afterwards if you don’t seal the pores.

Choose concrete if you want a raw, industrial impression in your bathroom, but don’t forget to protect it!
Wooden sinks
Wood is not the first thing that comes to mind when you consider new sinks! There are, however, actually good examples of wooden sinks!
The advantages of wooden washbasins are that they are extremely stylish and really bring nature into the bathroom in a way that no other material can. They are also relatively easy to shape.
Wood is a living material and comes with disadvantages so you really have to take care of it. It is probably best to varnish the surface so that you create a barrier between the water and the wood itself. However, it is perhaps also possible to keep a wooden washbasin looking good for a long time by oiling it from time to time.

It is worth considering that wood both expands and shrinks at will. Thus it might start to leak in e.g. the bottom valve.
Stone washbasin
Just like wooden washbasins, stone washbasins are sensitive to various chemicals, lime, soap and toothpaste deposits. Stone is a living material and also requires special care, but can, just like other materials, be impregnated with special stone impregnation.
In terms of appearance, there are probably few materials that can lift a bathroom in the same way as a beautifully designed stone washbasin. Regardless of whether you choose a polished surface or a more rustic one, your stone washbasin will really stand out in the crowd.

Sheet metal, stainless steel and copper
Tin and stainless steel are most often associated with kitchen sinks and bathtubs, but are also available as wash basins. They are very easy to keep clean and hold up to basically anything. Perfect for the teenage bathroom!
There are many advantages to these materials, including the fact that they can be shaped pretty much exactly as you want. They are also made very thin, which contributes to a more minimalist design, if that is what you are after. Copper is also naturally antibacterial and is therefore very suitable for wash basins!

In terms of style, the raw surfaces go very well with many styles but are perhaps most associated with classic, industrial and minimalist styles.
Composite & Plastics
There are any number of different types of synthetic and man-made materials, but I have chosen to lump them all together under composite. Here we find wash basins in plastic, cast marble, pressed stone mixes and other types of mixes.
The advantages of composites are that they are significantly more mass production-friendly and thus you get significantly less variation in manufacturing. That means that you avoid small bubbles and unevenness that you otherwise find some of in e.g. porcelain sinks.
Because they are cast in molds and do not crack easily, many manufacturers are now finding the opportunity to cast wider and wider one-piece countertops with recessed sinks, completely without seams and joints!
Some disadvantages of composite are that the surface is somewhat more porous than porcelain and metal surfaces, which means that they discolor more easily and are somewhat more difficult to keep clean.
What is your favorite type of sink? Do you like the washbasins in odd materials or do you prefer the traditional ones, or perhaps one built into the toilet? Personally, I myself do like the natural materials stone and wooden sinks, but I dread the cleaning, so if I’m being realistic, copper or porcelain is probably closer!
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